As the Dalai Lama said, “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” I believe he was not just talking about being kind to others, I believe he was talking about being kind to yourself. Kindness has been very much on my mind lately and I’m trying to live what I’m learning and practice what I’m preaching. I’m trying.

Lately life has been a strategic game of priorities vs. enjoyment. I’m trying to get all the important stuff done while still including some fun for myself, not always an easy task. Truth be told, none of this is possible if the self that you use to perform all of these life tasks is not functioning at optimal levels. We need to keep self-kindness at the forefront in order to accomplish anything else. So, for that reason, consider the things that you do to take care of yourself. I try very hard to not allow the self-care items on my daily to-do list be the things that get ignored when time is running short. Always make time for yourself. Always.

So what do you do to show yourself love? Here are some simple things that I do to show kindness to myself that make a big impact on my ability to feel at peace. Because when I feel angry, sad or disappointed, I’m not as likely to show myself any kindness. It’s an ongoing circle and balancing act of kindness, responsibility and effort.

Here are the top 10 things that I try and do for myself everyday…

1. I drink water. I try to drink as much water as I can everyday. The days that I don’t make it a priority, my body feels different and I always regret it.

2. I breathe. I never hesitate to take a moment and just breathe for a bit. I stop what I’m doing, fill my lungs with air and let it out slowly. Breathe.

3. I play. Whether it’s with my dog, my kids or just being silly with a friend, I always feel better when I let loose and just play for a while.

4. I say no. I don’t let guilt get in the way of allowing myself to say no if I feel like it. I don’t always have to have a good reason, I just have to give myself permission to not do everything.

5. I unplug. I like to put my phone on silent and turn it over so I’m not tempted to check it. Unplugging leads to being present, and being present leads to enjoying the moment.

6. I sleep. 7-8 hours. Every night. Period.

7. I say thank you. When someone does something nice for me, whether it’s big or small, I make sure and say thank you. I make sure and show that I am grateful.

8. I speak my truth. I’m not one to mince words, I tell it like it is. Speaking my truth makes me feel good.

9. I eat mindfully. I pay attention to when and what I’m eating and I make a major effort to be as healthy as possible. It often takes a bit of extra effort, and sometimes self-control, but in the end it’s worth it to pay attention to what I put in my body.

10. I vote with my feet. When I am present it means I want to be there and it shows people that I care enough to make an effort. I show up. Excuses are easy, but when I know it really matters, I make an effort to be there.

What’s on your list? Have you done any of them today? There is still time, but now is the best time. Now.

gratitude to 5demayo for the perfect photo from morguefile.com to show how lucky we are to be able to vote with our feet

Now, who wouldn’t want that? I speak from experience on this. I have spent the last two years trying to better myself body, mind and spirit. I realized after getting deep into this journey that I still have a long road to travel, but I have actually accomplished a few things so far. I have picked up a lot of momentum along the way and when I stop for a breather and look back to see my progress, I’m satisfied. I’m satisfied and motivated for more change! So, here are 10 changes I have made that I think are quite easy to integrate into almost any lifestyle. And here I am a happier, healthier person for having made these very changes!

Drink more water! Drink half your body weight in ounces of water everyday. Yes, you read that right. Try it for a week and see how much better you feel. Better yet, try it for 30 days because that that is how long it takes to incorporate new behavior into your life. Drinking plenty of water helps keep you hydrated inside and out. So, if you’re looking for a way to shed that water weight and/or those fine lines and wrinkles, no magic lotions, potions or diets necessary, it’s as easy as drinking enough water everyday.

Eat your breakfast! Every morning I have to get myself and 2 children ready for school before 9am so it would be very easy to dream up an excuse for not eating breakfast. Well, I stopped doing that and I started having a nutritionally dense protein shake every morning. It takes me 52 seconds to prepare and even less than that to drink it and I feel much more satisfied than I used to feel leaving the house on an empty stomach. In fact, I feel VERY satisfied! It’s a delicious and it’s chocolate!

Take your vitamins! Even with our best efforts to eat a healthy diet, most of us do not get the necessary nutrients, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants from our food. And don’t get me started on processed foods and GMOs! It’s very important to include the right vitamins and supplements into your diet everyday. And, now that I’m starting my day with a protein shake full of the vitamins and minerals that my body needs, I can effectively absorb these vitamins I’m taking.

Eat more organic food and use less toxic products! I’ve seen plenty of studies showing that organic food has more nutrients and less toxins. It’s as simple as that. It’s all about what you value, and I value the health of my family. I choose to spend a few extra dollars on buying certain foods organic and figure out ways to save a few dollars on other household needs. Everyone has different priorities and that is for each family to decide. What I put in my family’s bodies and what I use to clean our house, clothing and toys are very important to me. I don’t mind spending a little more money on that. It’s worth it.

Stop drinking soda! Soda is sugar water that has no nutritional value and leads to obesity and diabetes among other things. Even drinking DIET soda doesn’t keep you safe from the many dangerous effects. Some of the many scary side effects include an increase in fat around your liver, heart and kidney issues, muscle loss, cavities, memory loss, nerve disorders, behavioral problems, infertility, osteoporosis, accelerated aging, and worse. And, if that’s not enough just Google all the things you can clean and dissolve with Coke. That’s just more than enough about that.

Swap your coffee for tea! This one will ruffle some feathers, so if you insist on sticking with your coffee ritual consider switching to an organic, instant coffee and enjoying one cup with less toxins rather than a pot full of coffee that may contain toxic chemicals. But for a moment, consider that coffee is a stimulant and effects the hormone serotonin in our brains which controls sleep, mood and appetite. When you put a chemical into your body that regulates these things, you impede the body’s natural ability to do so. It will also effect your hunger signals and contribute to that late afternoon slump. So, take all of this into consideration when you decide how important coffee is to your daily routine and remember that Starbucks also sells tea.

Discover adaptogens! Stress on your body and your mind has become a regular part of life in today’s world. The fight or flight instinct that we all have has become overused and worn thin. We all experience stress and we all search for a way to successfully manage it. Adaptagenic herbs help your body balance stress related demands such as impatience, anxiety and irritability. Calm your nerves and reduce the impact of stress with drinks that have these properties. The ones that have worked for me are Ionix Supreme and t+Chai both made by Isagenix.

Keep snacking! Keep your blood sugar and insulin levels stable and stop yourself from eating too much at your main meals by consuming small amounts throughout the day. Remember to keep your calorie intake at a reasonable level. Eating more often doesn’t mean that you should eat MORE. Grazing throughout the day should be in a mindful way and with regulation. Done properly, a balanced day of eating can lead to a healthier diet and leaner body.

Forget perfection! If you strive to be perfect you are doomed to fail. Give yourself a break. I do my best to eat healthy, organic meals and live a healthy lifestyle, but nobody is perfect. I live by the 80% good and 20% not-so-perfect rule. If I’m tempted by something I don’t have to beat myself up for saying yes. Everything in moderation.

Think happy thoughts! When you join The Optimist’s Club you will enjoy less depression, better coping skills, increased life span, greater resistance to the common cold, and lower levels of distress. Gain a better understanding of positive self-talk and change your world! Self-talk is the stream of chatter that runs through your head. Make your thoughts more positive and enjoy a more positive outlook on life. Reduce stress with more positivity to yield amazing health benefits. It’s that easy and you have complete control over your thoughts. Give it a try! To successfully incorporate all of these things into your life all you need is the desire and motivation to be well! I have been able to achieve this and I know you can to! Get in touch with me to learn more about getting well and staying well!! drakejamie@mac.com